CN113555724A

CN113555724A - Contact device and contact system

Info

Publication number: CN113555724A
Application number: CN202110696030.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: L.阮努; O.德克洛特; C.施勒特林格; W.米勒
Original assignee: TE Connectivity Germany GmbH
Current assignee: TE Connectivity Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2016-12-20
Filing date: 2017-12-20
Publication date: 2021-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 2037-12-20
Also published as: JP6829317B2; JP2021073653A; EP3560045A1; US10847924B2; CN110088990A; CN113555724B; CN110088990B; DE102016125029A1; US20190305469A1; WO2018115085A1; JP2020513670A; DE102016125029B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a contact arrangement and a contact system, wherein the contact arrangement has at least a contact element, an inner housing, an outer housing, a first sealing element and a second sealing element, the outer housing delimiting a first inner space, the inner housing delimiting a second inner space, wherein the inner housing is arranged at least partially in the first inner space, wherein the contact element is arranged at least partially in the second inner space, wherein the first sealing element is arranged between the inner housing and the outer housing and seals off the first inner space from the environment of the contact arrangement, wherein the second sealing element is arranged between the contact element and the inner housing and seals off the second inner space from the environment of the contact arrangement.

Description

Contact device and contact system

The application is a divisional application of an invention patent application with the application number of 201780078598.8, the application date of 2017, 12 and 20, and the invention name of 'contact device and contact system'.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a contact device and a contact system.

Background

Many different configurations of sealed contact systems with contact devices are known, the inner space of which is sealed off from the environment of the contact system.

The problem of the present invention is to provide an improved contacting device and an improved contacting system.

Disclosure of Invention

The above-mentioned problems are solved by a contact arrangement and a contact system according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

It has been realized that an improved contact arrangement may be provided by a contact arrangement comprising at least a contact element, an inner housing, an outer housing, a first sealing element and a second sealing element. The outer housing defines a first interior space. The inner housing defines a second interior space. The inner housing is at least partially disposed in the first interior space. The contact element is at least partially disposed in the second interior space. The first sealing element is arranged between the inner housing and the outer housing and seals the first interior space from the environment of the contact arrangement. The second sealing element is arranged between the contact element and the inner housing. The second sealing element seals the second interior space from the environment of the contact device.

This configuration has the following advantages: the contact means seals off the interior space from the environment in a particularly reliable manner. Furthermore, the contact arrangement has a particularly small number of components and is particularly easy to assemble. Furthermore, automated assembly can be performed using a machine tool that is simply formed.

In another embodiment, the inner housing has a first sealing receptacle at an outer peripheral surface. The first sealing element is arranged in the first sealing receptacle. The first sealing receptacle is open on the side facing the outer housing. The outer housing is disposed outside the first sealed receptacle.

In another embodiment, the inner housing has a first housing portion, a second housing portion, a first web, and a second web. The first housing part abuts against the second housing part in the longitudinal direction. The first and second webs are arranged offset from the first housing part in the longitudinal direction. The first housing portion is formed wider than the second housing portion in the lateral direction. The first and second webs are disposed at the second shell portion. The first seal receptacle is bounded on a first longitudinal side by a first web having a first side surface and on a second longitudinal side by a second web having a second side surface.

In another embodiment, a second sealing receptacle is provided, wherein a second sealing element is arranged in the second sealing receptacle, wherein the second sealing element has a recess, wherein the contact element is engaged by the recess. The second sealing receptacle is open on the side facing away from the outer housing.

In another embodiment, the second sealing receptacle is delimited in the longitudinal direction by a first shoulder of the inner shell at a first longitudinal side and by a third side surface of the outer shell at a second longitudinal side. The second seal receptacle is bounded in the transverse direction by an inner first peripheral surface of the inner housing.

In another embodiment, the third side surface is arranged at a projection of the outer case. The outer housing includes a receptacle between the protrusion of the outer housing and the inner second peripheral surface. The inner housing is engaged in the receptacle.

In another embodiment, the outer housing has a third shoulder. A third shoulder is arranged in the longitudinal direction between the first sealing element and the second sealing element, the third shoulder having a stop surface arranged at a longitudinal side facing the first sealing element. The stop surface is formed to define an end position of the further contact device relative to the contact device.

In another embodiment, a contact securement device is provided having a pin, a first recess, and a second recess, the first recess disposed in the inner housing. The contact element has a fixing portion on the outside, wherein the fixing portion has a second recess. The second recess at the contact element is arranged to overlap the first recess in the longitudinal direction. The pin engages in the first recess and the second recess and connects the inner housing to the contact element in a form-fitting manner.

In another embodiment, the contact device has a contact securing device, wherein the contact securing device is arranged in the first interior space, an end face of which rests on the inner housing, wherein the contact element comprises a securing portion on the outside, the securing portion having a second recess and a collar, wherein the collar delimits the second recess on the longitudinal side, wherein the contact securing device has a third recess and a fourth recess, and a pin having an engaging portion, wherein the third recess and the engaging portion are arranged next to one another, wherein the inner housing delimits the fourth recess in part, wherein the engaging portion engages in the second recess and the fourth recess, wherein the collar engages in the third recess.

In another embodiment, the outer housing has a first bearing surface and the inner housing has a second bearing surface. In addition, the contact device comprises a tensioning device. The tensioning means are formed to push the bearing surfaces against each other. Preferably, the tensioning device is arranged outside the inner housing and presses the second bearing surface against the first bearing surface. Advantageously, the bearing surface is arranged between the first sealing element and the second sealing element in the longitudinal direction. The tensioning device is preferably formed as a thickening.

In another embodiment, a guide device is provided, which has at least one guide rail extending in the longitudinal direction and one guide receptacle extending in the longitudinal direction, the guide rail and the guide receptacle being engaged with each other. The guide receptacle is disposed inside the outer housing and the guide rail is disposed outside the inner housing. Alternatively or additionally, the guide receptacles may also be arranged on the outside of the inner housing and the guide rails may also be arranged on the inside of the outer housing.

In a further embodiment, the contact device has a coding device with a coding rail extending in the longitudinal direction, which coding rail is arranged on the outside of the outer housing, which coding rail is formed to engage in a coding receptacle of the further contact device and to guide the further contact device in the longitudinal direction and to prevent a reversal of the polarity of the contact device.

In a further embodiment, the contact arrangement has at least one sealing plug, which partially has the same outer contour as the contact element, which seals off the second interior space from the environment.

In a further embodiment, the contact system has a contact device, which is formed as described above, and a further contact device, which has an outer housing, which partially delimits the first inner space, the outer housing of the further contact device comprising a housing engagement portion, which is engaged in the outer housing of the contact device, which is arranged between the first sealing element of the contact device and the outer housing. The further contact means is preferably formed as described above.

In another embodiment, the contact-securing means is arranged between an inner housing of the contact device and an inner housing of the further contact device, said contact-securing means being formed to secure a predetermined distance between the inner housing of the contact device and the inner housing of the further contact device.

Drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a contact system;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the contact system shown in FIG. 1;

fig. 3 shows a perspective longitudinal section through the contact system shown in fig. 1 and 2;

fig. 4 shows a first section through the longitudinal section shown in fig. 3 of the contact system;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view through the contact system shown in FIG. 4 along the section A-A shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view through the contact system shown in FIG. 4 along the section B-B shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 shows a second section through the longitudinal section shown in FIG. 3 of the contact system; and

fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view through the contact system shown in fig. 7 along the section plane C-C shown in fig. 7.

Detailed Description

In the following figures, reference is made to the coordinate system 5. The coordinate system 5 is formed, for example, as a right-hand trihedron and has an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis. The x-axis extends in the longitudinal direction. The y-axis extends in the lateral direction and the z-axis extends in the vertical direction. Of course, the coordinate system 5 may also be formed differently.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a contact system 10.

The contact system 10 is formed to provide an electrical connection between the first electrical conductor 15 and the second electrical conductor 20.

In this embodiment, for example, the first electrical conductor 15 and the second electrical conductor 20 have a plurality of

conductor strands

25, 30, wherein in this embodiment each

conductor strand

25, 30 is formed as a coaxial conductor, having for example a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor arranged coaxially to the first electrical conductor. In this embodiment, for example, the

electrical conductors

15, 20 have four

conductor strands

25, 30, respectively. Of course, it is also possible to provide a different number of

conductor strands

25, 30, which are electrically connected to one another by the contact system 10. The

conductor strands

25, 30 may also be formed differently and, for example, comprise only one electrical conductor.

The contact system 10 has a first contact device 35 and a second contact device 40. The first contact means 35 is connected to the first electrical conductor 15. The second contact device 40 is connected to the second electrical conductor 20.

Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the contact system 10 shown in fig. 1.

The first contact device 35 has at least a first contact element 45, an inner housing 50, an outer housing 55, a first sealing element 60 and a second sealing element 65. Furthermore, for example, the first contact device 35 has a first contact-fixing device 285.

The second contact device 40 is formed in its structural features substantially identical to the first contact device 35, apart from the small deviations mentioned in fig. 7 and 8, and has a second contact element 345, an inner housing 51, an outer housing 56, a first sealing element 60 and a second sealing element 65. Furthermore, the second contacting means 40 has, for example, a second contact-fixing means 315. The geometry of the second contacting means 40 and the first contacting means 35 is coordinated.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective longitudinal section through the contact system 10 shown in fig. 1.

The first contact element 45 is formed as a first coaxial contact element and has, for example, a first plug contact 70 and a first sleeve contact 75. In this case, the first plug contact 70 is arranged coaxially with the first sleeve contact 75. Of course, it is also conceivable for the first contact element 45 to be formed differently.

In this embodiment, for example, a first contact element 45 is provided for each first conductor strand 25, respectively, the first contact elements 45 being electrically connected to the first conductor strands 25. Accordingly, in this embodiment, for example, four first contact elements 45 are respectively provided, which are offset with respect to one another at equal intervals, for example in the transverse direction, and are arranged at a distance from one another in the vertical direction. In this case, for example, the two first contact elements 45 are each arranged in a common xy plane. Of course, it is also conceivable for the first contact elements 45 to also be arranged in a common plane.

Furthermore, the second contact device 40 has a second contact element 345 for each second conductor strand 30 instead of the first contact element 45. The second contact element 345 is formed similarly to the first contact element 45. The second contact element 345 has a second sleeve contact 350 and a second plug contact 355. The second ferrule contact 350 is coaxially disposed with the second plug contact 355. The second ferrule contact 350 and the first plug contact 70 engage one another. The second plug contact 355 is engaged in the first sleeve contact 75. As a result, a reliable electrical connection between the first contact element 45 and the second contact element 345 is ensured.

In the assembled state, the outer housing 56 of the second contact device 40 engages in the outer housing 55 of the first contact device 35. In this case, the outer housing 56 of the second contact device 40 is arranged outside between the outer housing 55 of the first contact device 35 and the first sealing element 60.

The outer housing 56 of the second contact set 40 has a housing engagement portion 76. The housing engaging portion 76 is engaged in the outer housing 50 of the first contact device 35. The

outer housings

55, 56 define a first interior space 80. The

inner housings

50, 51 are arranged in the first inner space 80. The

inner housings

50, 51 define a second interior space 105.

The first sealing element 60 of the first contact device 35 is arranged between the inner housing 50 of the first contact device 35 and the outer housing 56 of the second contact device 40 and seals off the first inner space 80 from the environment 245. The first sealing element 60 of the second contact arrangement 40 is arranged between the inner housing 51 of the second contact arrangement 40 and the outer housing 56 of the second contact arrangement 40 and seals off the first inner space 80 from the environment 245. The second sealing element 65 of the two

contact arrangements

35, 40 reliably seals off the second interior space 105 at the

respective contact element

45, 345 and the

inner housing

50, 51 from the environment 245.

Fig. 4 shows the first contacting device 35 in a first section through the longitudinal section shown in fig. 3 of the contacting system 10. For clarity, in the following figures, the sealing plugs 46, 346 are shown partially instead of the

contact elements

45, 345. The sealing plugs 46, 346 and the

contact elements

45, 345 have substantially the same outer geometry. The features described below for

contact elements

45, 345 also apply to seal plugs 46, 346, except that seal plugs 46, 346 do not provide an electrical connection and do not engage each other. The sealing plugs 46, 346 seal the contact means 35, 40 from the environment 245 and seal the second interior space 105 from the environment 245. The sealing plugs 46, 346 are made of plastic.

For example, the outer housing 55 of the first contact device 35 has a substantially rectangular cross-section. Furthermore, the outer housing 55 of the first contact device 35 has a first opening 90 at a first longitudinal end and a second opening 95 at a second longitudinal end. The first opening 90 is formed corresponding to the outer geometry of the connecting portion 100 of the

contact element

45, 345. The connection portion 100 is connected on one side to the associated

electrical conductor

15, 20 and on the other side to the fixing portion 120 of the

contact element

45, 345. The fixing portion 120 is arranged outside the

contact elements

45, 345. Further, the connecting portion 100 is engaged through the first opening 90. The second opening 95 is arranged in the longitudinal direction opposite to the first opening 90. In the second opening 95 of the outer housing 55 of the first contact device 35, the outer housing 56 engages in the second contact device 40.

The second interior space 105 has a first interior space portion 110 and at least one second interior space portion 115.

The second inner space portion 115 is formed in a chamber-like manner. The fixing portion 120 of the

contact element

45, 345 is arranged in the second inner space portion 115. For example, the second inner space portion 115 is formed in a cylindrical shape. At the third opening 125 of the inner housing 50 in the first inner space part 110, the second inner space part 115 is open at a side facing the first opening 90. The first contact member 45 is engaged through the third opening 125.

The first internal space portion 110 is formed wider than the second internal space portion 115 in the lateral direction, so that the plurality of second internal space portions 115 may be opened at the longitudinal side of the first internal space portion 110 at the first internal space portion 110. The inner housing 50 of the first contact device 35 has a fourth opening 130 in the longitudinal direction on the side opposite the first interior space section 110, in which the second interior space section 115 is likewise open. The second contact element 345 is engaged through the fourth opening 130.

The inner housing 50 of the first contact device 35 has a first sealing receptacle 140 at the first outer circumferential surface 135. The first sealing receptacle 140 opens out towards the

outer housing

55, 56 of the

contact device

35, 40 and preferably has a rectangular cross section in longitudinal section. The first seal receptacle 140 is disposed circumferentially about the inner housing 50. The first sealing element 60 is arranged in the first sealing receptacle 140. The outer housing 56 of the second contact device 40 is arranged on the outside in the longitudinal direction at the level of the first sealing element 60, and the outer housing 55 of the first contact device 35 is arranged on the outside of the outer housing 56 of the second contact device 40.

The inner housing 50 of the first contact device 35 has a first housing part 145, a second housing part 150, a first web 155 and a second web 156.

The first housing portion 145 and the second housing portion 150 extend in a longitudinal direction. The first housing part 145 abuts against the second housing part 150 in the longitudinal direction. The first housing portion 145 is formed wider than the second housing portion 150 in the lateral direction. In this case, a first shoulder 160 having a shoulder surface 161 is arranged at the transition between the first housing part 145 and the second housing part 150. For example, the shoulder surface 161 extends in the yz plane.

The first and

second webs

155, 156 are offset in the longitudinal direction relative to the first shoulder 160 and relative to the first housing portion 145. In this case, the second web 156 is disposed outside of the second housing portion 150 between the first shoulder 160 and the first web 155. Furthermore, the first web 155 is arranged outside the second housing part 150.

In an embodiment, the first and

second webs

155, 156 are arranged circumferentially at the first outer circumferential surface 135 of the inner housing 50 of the first contact device 35. Of course, the first web 155 and/or the second web 156 may also have interruptions.

For example, the first web 155 is formed shorter than the second web 156 in the transverse direction. Of course, the first web 155 may also be formed to be wider or the same width as the second web 156.

The first web 155 defines the first seal receptacle 140 with a first side surface 165 on a first longitudinal side, and the second web 156 defines the first seal receptacle 140 with a second side surface 170 on a second longitudinal side. For example, in an embodiment, the first side surface 165 and the second side surface 170 are arranged parallel to each other and, for example, perpendicular to the first peripheral surface 135 in the first seal receptacle 140. Further, the first side surface 165 and the second side surface 170 each extend in the yz plane. Further, the first sealing receptacle 140 is delimited in the lateral and vertical directions by the first outer peripheral surface 135 of the second housing part 150. On the outside, the first sealing receptacle 140 is delimited by the outer housing 56 of the second contact device 40.

The contact means 35, 40 also have a second sealing receptacle 175. Second seal member 65 is disposed in second seal receptacle 175. Second seal receptacle 175 is bounded outboard by a first inner peripheral surface 180 of first housing portion 145. A first longitudinal end of the second seal receptacle 175 is defined by a first shoulder 160.

The outer housing 55 of the first contact set 35 is formed in a layered manner and has a second shoulder 185 and a third shoulder 190. Furthermore, the outer housing 55 has a first outer housing part 205, a second outer housing part 210 and a third outer housing part 215. The second shoulder 185 is disposed between the first outer housing portion 205 and the second outer housing portion 210. The third shoulder 190 is disposed between the second outer housing portion 210 and the third outer housing portion 215.

The first outer housing part 205 has a smaller lateral extension than the second outer housing part 210. The second outer housing part 210 has a shorter lateral extension than the third outer housing part 215.

The third shoulder 190 is arranged offset in the longitudinal direction with respect to the second shoulder 185. In this case, the second shoulder 185 abuts against the first opening 90 of the outer housing 55 of the first contact device 35. A projection 195 is provided at the second shoulder 185 at a longitudinal side facing the second seal receptacle 175. The third side surface 200 is disposed at the protrusion 195. The projection 195 is arranged at the level of the first shoulder 160 of the inner housing 50 of the first contacting means 35 in the lateral direction. The third side surface 200 is preferably aligned parallel to the shoulder surface 161. Third side surface 200 defines a second longitudinal end of second seal receptacle 175.

The receptacle 220 is disposed between the projection 195 and the second outer housing portion 210 at the second shoulder 185. The receptacle 220 is bounded on the outside by the second inner peripheral surface 206 of the second outer housing part 210 and on the inside by the projection 195. The receptacle 220 is bounded in the longitudinal direction by the second shoulder 185. In the assembled state of the first contact device 35, the end face of the first housing part 145 of the inner housing 50 of the first contact device 35 engages in the receptacle 220 on the side facing away from the first outer housing part 205.

The third shoulder 190 is arranged between the first sealing element 60 and the second sealing element 65 in the longitudinal direction. For example, the third shoulder 190 is arranged substantially at the level of the second web 156 in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the third shoulder 190 has a stop surface 225. The stop surface 225 is arranged at a longitudinal side facing the first sealing element 60 of the third shoulder 190. The end face 226 of the outer housing 56 of the second contact device 40 rests against the stop surface 225 of the first contact device 35.

In order to ensure the axial position of the inner housing 50 of the first contact device 35 in the inserted state relative to the outer housing 55 of the first contact device 35, the outer housing 55 of the first contact device 35 may additionally comprise a first bearing surface 265 and the inner housing 50 may comprise a second bearing surface 270 and a tensioning device 275. In this case, the first and second bearing surfaces 265, 270 are conically aligned and/or travel obliquely towards the x-axis. In this case, a low inclination of a few degrees with respect to the x-axis is sufficient for the bearing surfaces 265, 270. In an embodiment, the bearing surfaces 265, 270 are arranged between the first sealing element 60 and the second sealing element 65, for example in the longitudinal direction. To form the tensioning device 275, the inner housing 50 has a thickening 280 on the outside of the second housing part 150. In this case, the thickened portion 280 is arranged in the longitudinal direction between the second web 156 and the first shoulder 160. For example, the thickened portion 280 connects the second web 156 to the first shoulder 160. The second bearing surface 270 is arranged outside the tensioning device 275.

When inserting the inner housing 50 of the first contacting means 35 into the outer housing 55 of the first contacting means 35, the tensioning device 275 is elastically tensioned in the transverse direction by the oblique alignment of the bearing surfaces 265, 270. In the end position, the tensioning device 275 utilizes a pretension force F_SThe second bearing surface 270 is pressed outwards in the lateral direction onto the first bearing surface 265, thereby ensuring an undesired extraction, for example, in the case of a contact system 10, the inner casing 50 of the first contact device 35 is released from the outer casing 55 of the first contact device 35. Furthermore, the tensioning device 275 ensures a quick assembly option of the first contact device 35. Furthermore, the arrangement of the tensioning device 275 and the bearing surfaces 265, 270 in the longitudinal direction between the first sealing element 60 and the second sealing element 65 ensures that the second sealing element 65 can connect the second inner space 105 with the ringThe environment 245 is reliably sealed off, and the first sealing element 60 can reliably seal off the first interior space 80 from the environment 245.

Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the contact system 10 along the section a-a shown in fig. 4.

In an embodiment, the sealing

elements

60, 65 are preferably made of an elastomer. The second sealing element 65 has a recess 230 for each

contact element

45, 345, respectively. The notches 230 are selected to correspond to the geometry of the connecting portion 100, with the connecting portion 100 being guided through the notches 230.

Furthermore, the first sealing element 60 may have at least one first sealing lip 235 in the recess 230 in order to achieve a reliable sealing at the

contact elements

45, 345 of the second interior space 105. At least one second sealing lip 240 is also provided at the second peripheral surface 236 of the second sealing element 65. In this case, the second seal lip 240 rests on the first inner peripheral surface 180 in the second seal receptacle 175. As a result, the second interior space 105 is reliably sealed from the environment 245 of the contact system 10.

For example, the first contacting means 35 also has a guiding means 250. The guide device 250 has guide rails 255 extending in the longitudinal direction and guide receptacles 260 extending in the longitudinal direction. The guide track 255 and the guide receptacle 260 engage each other. The guide receptacle 260 is arranged, for example, outside the second housing part 150. The guide track 255 is arranged inside the second outer housing part 210. The guide means 250 ensures that, when the inner housing 50 of the first contact device 35 is inserted into the outer housing 55 of the first contact device 35, the inner housing 50 of the first contact device 35 is not tilted and can be inserted up to its end position, which is fixed by engaging the first housing part 145 in the receptacle 220. Of course, the guide receptacle 260 can also be arranged on the inside of the outer housing 55 of the first contact device 35 and the guide track 255 on the outside of the inner housing 50 of the first contact device 35.

Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view through the contact system 10 shown in fig. 4 along the section B-B shown in fig. 4.

The first contact fixing device 285 includes a first pin 290 and a first recess 295. Furthermore, a groove-shaped second recess 310 of the circumferential circumference is arranged outside the fixing portion 120 of the first contact element 45.

The first recess 295 is disposed in the inner housing 50. In an embodiment, the first contact fixture 285 provides a first contact element 45 for each xy-plane, respectively. By means of two corresponding xy planes, which are arranged offset in the z direction from the first contact element 45, the first contact device 35 has two first contact fixing devices 285, respectively, which are arranged opposite one another in the z direction.

The first pin 290 has a first retaining portion 300 and a first engagement portion 305. The first holding portion 300 is formed to be wider in the lateral direction than the first recess 295 and the first engaging portion 305. The first engagement portion 305 is formed at least partially corresponding to the first recess 295 and the second recess 310. The second engagement portion 330 is formed in this case such that the first engagement portion 305 tapers from the first retaining portion 300 to the free end of the first engagement portion 305. Preferably, a part of the outer contour of the first engagement part 305 is in this case formed to travel on a circular path. The first engaging portion 305 engages through the first recess 295 and the second recess 310 and thus fixes the first contact element 45 in the inner housing 50.

It is particularly advantageous here, for example, for the first pin 290 to have a T-shaped configuration, so that the first engagement portion 305 can engage in two

contact elements

45, 345 arranged side by side adjacently in two different second inner space portions 115 and at the same time be firmly attached in the first recess 295 to prevent tilting.

Further, it is advantageous that the first holding portion 300 is formed wider than the first recess 295 in the lateral direction to thereby prevent the first pin 290 from sliding into the first recess 295.

Furthermore, a coding device 311 can be provided, the coding device 311 having a coding rail 312 extending in the longitudinal direction and a coding receptacle 313, the coding rail 312 being arranged, for example, on the outside of the outer housing 56 of the second contacting device 40. The coding receptacle 313 is arranged, for example, on the inside of the outer housing 55 of the first contact device 35. The coding track 312 is formed to engage in the coding receptacle 313 and guide the outer housing 56 of the second contact device 40. The coding track 312 and the coding receptacle 313 are arranged such that the second contact device 40 can only be incorporated in the first contact device 35 in a single position. This can be ensured, for example, by the geometry of the coding rail 312 and the coding receptacle 313 or by an eccentric arrangement of the coding means 311 at the

outer housing

55, 56.

Fig. 7 shows a second sectional view of the contact system 10 shown in fig. 1 to 3.

The second contact device 40 is formed substantially as a variant of the first contact device 35 described in fig. 1 to 6. By tapering, the second contact fixture 315 is provided at the second contact fixture 40 instead of the first contact fixture 285. Likewise, two second contact fixing devices 315, which are arranged opposite one another in the z direction, are each provided as an example for fixing the second contact elements 345.

The second contact-securing means 315 is arranged in the longitudinal direction between the inner housing 50 of the first contact device 35 and the inner housing 51 of the second contact device 40.

In order to avoid an accidental release of the second contact device 40 from the first contact device 35, the contact system 10 additionally has a latching device 365. The latching device 365 has, for example, a latching clip 370 and a latching lug 375, the latching clip 370 being provided at the outer housing 55 of the first contact device 35 and the latching lug 375 being provided at the outer housing 56 of the second contact device 40, the latching lug 375 engaging in a latching receptacle 380 of the latching clip 370 in the assembled state to prevent an unintentional release of the second contact device 40 from the first contact device 35.

Fig. 8 shows a sectional view through the second contacting means 40 along the section C-C shown in fig. 7.

The second contact fixture 315 is formed similarly to the first contact fixture 285 and has a second pin 327 (which has a second retaining portion 326), a second engagement portion 330 and a third recess 335, and a fourth recess 320. The fourth recess 320 is jointly delimited by the inner housing 50 of the first contacting means 35 and the inner housing 51 of the second contacting means 40.

The second engaging portion 330 is connected to the second retaining portion 326. The second retaining portion 326 is disposed outside the second engaging portion 330. The second engagement portion 330 is arranged to abut against the third recess 335 in the longitudinal direction.

Furthermore, at the fixing portion 120, the second contact element 345 has a collar 340, which delimits the second recess 310 at the second contact element 345. The collar 340 is disposed at the free end of the fixing portion 120 of the second contact member 345, and is formed circumferentially in the outer circumferential direction of the second contact member 345.

The collar 340 of the fixing portion 120 is engaged in the third recess 335 of the second pin 327. The second engagement portion 330 is engaged in the second recess 310 and in the fourth recess 320 of the second contact element 345.

The second contact securing means 315 is connected to the inner housing 51 of the second contact means 40 by a latching connection 385. The latch connection 385 has a spring portion 390, which spring portion 390 is attached at a fixed end to the inside of the inner housing 51 of the second contact device 40. The spring portion 390 extends in the yz plane. Two spring portions 390 arranged opposite each other are preferably arranged in a common yz plane, wherein the second pin 327 is arranged between the spring portions 390.

The spring portion 390 preferably has a plurality of fifth depressions 395 on a side facing the second pin 327. The second contact securing device 315 has another latching lug 405 at the fourth side surface 400 of the second retaining portion 326. An additional latching lug 405 is formed corresponding to the fifth recess 395. For assembly, the second contact securing device 315 is pressed laterally from the outside in the lateral direction between the spring portions 390, so that the second engagement portion 330 engages in the second recess 310 and the fourth recess 320. Further, the first engaging portion 305 is engaged in the third recess 335. In addition, another locking lug 405 locks in the fifth recess 395 and secures the second pin 327 in the fourth recess 320.

By means of the second contact-fixing means 315, the predetermined distance between the first inner housing 50 of the first contacting means 35 and the inner housing 51 of the second contacting means 40 can also be fixed, and the position of the second contacting element 345 in the inner housing 51 of the second contacting means 40 can be fixed at the same time.

The above-described configuration of the contact system 10 has the advantage that a particularly compact contact system 10 can be formed, which reliably seals off the first interior space 80 and the second interior space 105 from the environment 245 of the contact system 10. In this way, a reliable corrosion protection of the

contact elements

45, 345 in the electrical contact region is ensured. Furthermore, the reliability and long-term durability of the contact system 10 are thereby ensured.

By means of the offset arrangement of the sealing

elements

60, 65 connected with the guide 250, tilting of the outer housing 56 of the second contact device 40 relative to the first contact device 35 is avoided when the second contact device 40 is inserted into the first contact device 35. If applicable, damage to the sealing

elements

60, 65 or crushing of the sealing

elements

60, 65 by the outer housing 56 of the second contact device 40 is therefore reliably avoided, so that possible leakage from the

interior spaces

80, 105 is avoided. A reliable multiple insertion and release of the contact system 10 and a reliable impermeability are also ensured by the offset arrangement of the sealing

elements

60, 65.

The first contact device 35 and the second contact device 40 can be assembled particularly easily. This can be achieved, for example, by assembling the first contact device 35 by sliding the outer housing 55 over the first electrical conductor 15 in a first method step.

In a second assembly step, the sealing

elements

60, 65 are inserted into the respective associated sealing

receptacles

140, 175 of the inner housing 50 of the first contact device 35.

Subsequently, in a third assembly step, the first contact elements 45 are inserted into the respective associated second inner space portions 115.

In a fourth assembly step, the first contact fixing device 285 is assembled, wherein the first pin 290 is introduced into the first recess 295 until the first retaining portion 300 rests on the outside of the inner housing 50 of the first contact device 35 and the first engaging portion 305 engages in the second recess 310 of the first contact element 45. As a result, the position of the first contact element 45 in the longitudinal direction relative to the inner housing 50 of the first contact device 35 is reliably fixed. It is particularly advantageous here that the first pin 290 is clamped in the first recess 295 when the first pin 290 is inserted into the first recess 295.

In a fifth assembly step, the outer housing 55 of the first contact device 35 is slid over the inner housing 50 of the first contact device 35 until the first housing part 145 of the inner housing 50 of the first contact device 35 engages in the receptacle 220 of the outer housing 55 of the first contact device 35 and the support surfaces 265, 270 are tensioned by the tensioning device 275.

Furthermore, by superimposing the outer housing 55 of the first contact device 35 on the inner housing 50 of the first contact device 35, an undesired release of the first pin 290 from the first recess 295 can be reliably avoided. In this case, it is particularly advantageous if the width a in the vertical direction of the first holding section 300 substantially corresponds to the distance a1 between the inner housing 50 and the outer housing 56 of the second contacting means 40.

The assembly of the second contact device 40 is performed substantially identically to the assembly of the first contact device 35. By way of detraction, in the fourth assembly step, instead of the first contact fixing device 285, it is assembled and latched as described in fig. 8 for the second contact fixing device 315.

During the overall assembly of the contact system 10, the housing engaging portion 76 of the outer housing 56 of the second contact device 40 is inserted between the inner housing 50 of the first contact device 35 and the outer housing 55 of the first contact device 35 such that the first sealing element 60 rests on the inside of the housing engaging portion 76 and seals off the first inner space 80. Furthermore, the

contact elements

45, 345 engage each other and form an electrical contact.

It should be noted that the configuration of the contact system 10 depicted in fig. 1 through 8 is exemplary. Of course, it is also contemplated that the contact system 10 may be formed differently than described above. It is also contemplated that individual features may be omitted or additional features may be provided, but the features do not alter any of the functionality of the contact system 10.

Claims

1. A contact arrangement (35) comprising:

an outer housing (55, 56) defining an interior space (105);

an inner housing (50, 51) disposed in the interior space (105), the inner housing (50, 51) having a first recess (295);

a contact element (45) arranged in the inner space (105), the contact element (45) having a second recess (310) aligned with the first recess (295) outside the contact element (45);

a sealing element (65) arranged between the contact element and the outer housing, the sealing element (65) sealing the inner space (105) from an environment (245); and

a contact fixture configured to be introduced into the first recess (295) and to engage in the second recess (310) of the contact element.

2. The contact device of claim 1, wherein the contact element is one of a plurality of contact elements disposed in the interior space, each of the plurality of contact elements having the second recess.

3. A contact arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the contact fixing arrangement is formed in one piece and is capable of engaging the second recesses of all the contact elements simultaneously.

4. A contact arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the contact fixing arrangement has a first retaining portion and a first engagement portion extending therefrom, the first retaining portion being wider than the first engagement portion.

5. The contact arrangement of claim 4, wherein the contact securement arrangement has a second retention portion extending from the first engagement portion, the second retention portion being wider than the first engagement portion.

6. The contact device of claim 5, wherein the first engagement portion has a semi-circular profile between the first and second retention portions.

7. A contact arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the contact fixing arrangement has a second engagement portion extending from the second retaining portion.

8. The contact device of claim 7, wherein the second engagement portion tapers from the second retention portion to a free end of the second engagement portion.

9. Contact arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the contact securing arrangement is movable in the first recess between a second locking position and a release position, the contact securing arrangement securing the contact element against movement in the longitudinal direction in the second locking position.

10. The contact arrangement of claim 9, wherein in the second locked position, the first engagement portion engages the second recess of the first group of the plurality of contact elements and the second engagement portion engages the second recess of the second group of the plurality of contact elements.

11. The contact device of claim 1, further comprising a cover disposed on one end of the outer housing in a longitudinal direction and attached to the outer housing.

12. The contact device of claim 11, wherein the cover has a plurality of channels that align with the channels in the outer housing and the inner housing.

13. A contact arrangement according to claim 12, further comprising a sealing plug having in part the same outer profile as the contact element, one of the contact element and the sealing plug being arranged in each of the passages of the lid.

14. A contact arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the sealing plug has a resiliently deflectable latching portion which engages a seat of an end of the passage of the cover to secure the sealing plug in the passage.

15. The contact arrangement of claim 11, wherein the sealing element is arranged in a longitudinal direction between the outer housing and the cover.

16. A contact arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the contact arrangement is free of sealing elements between the inner housing and the outer housing.

17. The contact arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a tensioning arrangement disposed outside of the inner housing and formed to press the first bearing surface of the outer housing against the second bearing surface of the inner housing.

18. A contact system, comprising:

a first contact arrangement comprising a first outer housing defining a first interior space, a first inner housing disposed in the first interior space, a first contact element disposed in the first interior space, a first sealing element disposed about a portion of the first outer housing, and a second sealing element disposed between the first contact element and the first outer housing, the second sealing element sealing the first interior space from the environment; and

a second contact arrangement including a second outer housing defining a second interior space, a second inner housing disposed in the second interior space, a second contact element disposed in the second interior space, and a third sealing element disposed between the second contact element and the second outer housing, the third sealing element sealing the second interior space from the environment, the second outer housing engaging the first sealing element to form a seal between the first contact arrangement and the second contact arrangement.

19. The contact system of claim 18, wherein the second contact set is free of a sealing element between the second inner housing and the second outer housing.

20. The contact system of claim 18, wherein each of the first and second contact devices has a contact fixture movable along the first or second inner housing to engage the first or second contact element.